IMF: CBDCs Could Lift Middle East Financial Inclusion, Payments

IMF Says CBDCs Could Boost Middle East's Financial Inclusion, Payment Efficiency

An IMF survey of the Middle East and Central Asian region has concluded that while CBDCs may not be essential, they can advance financial inclusion and lower the cost of financial services. The uptake of CBDCs may only have marginal benefits in the Middle East and Central Asia if other barriers are not addressed, the IMF findings said.